Research
UNC-CSI and Partners Document WWII Shipwrecks
This summer will mark the fourth year of study and documentation of vessels lost in North Carolina waters during the Battle of the Atlantic in WWII. UNC-CSI assists NOAA's Office of Marine Sanctuaries, East Carolina University, RENCI, NC Department of Transportation and the Minerals Management Service in archaeological expeditions to document what remains of these vessels. The Battle of the Atlantic in WWII was fought within miles of our shoreline, and it is a story that few have heard. For more information on the expedition check the NOAA Marine Sanctuaries website and our facebook page.
>>MORE INFORMATION
>>VIDEO CLIP
Publications
UNC-CSI Published Papers
The UNC Coastal Studies Institute provides North Carolina Universities the opportunity to develop a greater niche in coastal research in North Carolina. Research conducted by UNC-CSI is published in peer reviewed scientific papers. Published papers by the faculty of the Institute have real world applications and assists policy and decision makers on important coastal issues. Click the link provided to view selected publications of research by the faculty of the UNC Coastal Studies Institute.
>>Link to Publications Page
>>Recent Coastal Engineering Publication
Education
Basic Observation Buoy (BOB) Project
UNC-CSI has worked alongside partners to implement a project among five schools in northeastern North Carolina to record water quality data from the Albemarle, Pamlico and Currituck Sounds. The students constructed a basic buoy that holds water quality and atmospheric sensors and records data continually for seven days. The students retrieve the buoy at the end of each week and recharge batteries, recalibrate sensors, download the data from the on-board computer and upload it to the internet. The data is shared in a large network of BOB buoys along the East Coast.
>>OTHER PROJECTS
>>Follow UNC-CSI and the field school on Facebook, click here
Research
Estuarine Habitat's Nitrogen Removal Evaluated
In a recent manuscript in the Ecological Society of America journal Ecosphere titled Habitat-specific distinctions in estuarine denitrification affect both ecosystem function and services, Estuarine Ecology and Human Health Program Head, Mike Piehler and graduate student Ashley Smyth quantified the removal of nitrogen by estuarine habitats as an ecosystem service by comparing denitrification rates and identifying factors that may affect specific rates of denitrification in salt marshes, seagrass beds, oyster reefs, intertidal flats and subtidal flats.